Fairy Tales

I love this idea for a child's birthday party. Instead of your usual pretty-in-pink Disney princess theme, cast a spell for your little ones by creating a fairy-themed soirée. Ask guests to arrive in costumes of ethereal tutu's and fairy wings, and plan for guests to spend the magical afternoon making floral crowns and sparkling wands. After dining on jam tarts and raspberry and rose petal punch, let the wee ones can flit around in fairy wings, casting spells in the enchanted forest of your own backyard.
images/cookiemag

No Green Thumb Necessary

It's that time of the year. Once again, Trader Joe's has household basil plants for sale. These babies are $3.29 for a sizable, and oh-so-fragrant green beauty. Strike while the iron is hot! Now I definitely don't have a green thumb, but I've managed to keep this bad boy alive. And once you've brought your little basil plant home sweet home, take advantage of your herbaceous find and try out this succulent summer beverage over ice, Basil Lemonade.
Ingredients
1/2 cup rinsed, lightly packed fresh basil leaves3 tablespoons sugar
4 cups water
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
sprigs of fresh basil
Preparation
In a 1-1/2 to 2-quart glass measure or bowl, combine basil leaves and sugar. With a wooden spoon, crush leaves with sugar until thoroughly bruised. Add water and lemon juice. Stir until sugar is dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Taste and add more sugar if desired. Pour through a fine strainer into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with sprigs of fresh basil.
YieldMakes 4-1/2 cups; about 4 servings

image1/flickr

image2+recipe/myrecipes

Please Tell Me...Why?

I loathe this trend. I would really like to know who proclaimed the high waist back in style?? The model in the top picture is a skinny minnie, and she looks heinous. I am taking a stand - boycott the high waist!

images/urbanoutfitters

Critical Review

Most of the TV shows I follow, (sans LOST) are easy-to-watch, frivolous indulgences, that are usually appealing for one of the following reasons...
a). great fashion
b). juicy plot twists
c). catty girl drama

These shows are my guilty pleasures, part of my end of the day rest and relax routine. However, I find it amusing to read how the critics interpret my gossip-ridden girly shows. Here's what the NY Times has to say about a few of my favorites: Gossip Girl, The Hills, and the Real Housewives of NYC.

"Gossip Girl” focuses on worldly little girls who join forces against one another. The series, along with such like-minded shows as the MTV semireality show “The Hills” and a cautionary senior edition, “The Real Housewives of New York City,” are focused on friends, and most of all on frenemies. They are so postfemininist that they circle back not just to “Mean Girls,” but to the pre-Friedan era of Clare Boothe Luce and Rona Jaffe.

Thanks to Brilliant Asylym for the heads up on the article. Pretty entertaining.

image/fabsugar

Favorite Things

These are a few of my favorite things...peonies. Since they're finally in season - thought I'd give them a shout out! I love cruising down to Pike Place and picking up a $5 bouquet of these effortlessly beautiful blooms. (Sigh).

image/bhg

Baby Love

Jessica Alba just became the latest celebrity to indulge in the timeless trend of unusual baby names. The Times announced her latest addition is...(drum roll please)...Honor. Yes, Honor. As in love, honor, and obey - although I'm pretty sure no one says the obey part anymore. Jessica's baby's full name is Honor Marie Warren.

Guessing she'll fit in fabulously with the other celeb tots. Can't say I'm surprised, she does have a father named Cash. What do you think about the newest Hollywood bambino? Any thoughts?

P.S. Don't you love her outfit in this picture? Cutest baby bump ever!

image/evilbeetgossip

Flashback to the Jazz Age

A few of my favorite shots via the Sartorialist, from the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island, New York. I adore themed events, and this shindig looks like it was a kick-up-your- knee-socks rockin' good time. My favorite shot of the 3 is the man with the tattoos - a literal blending of modern and vintage - with the inked sleeves accented with the navy ascot, poor boy hat, and Model A parked out back.

images/thesartorialist